Folding float



May 22, 1923.

A. NIELSEN FOLDING FLOAT Filed. June 19, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 iii 22 Pr/fair Alva/Hus M54 52- Afwmw/ May 22, 1923. 1,456,397

A. NIELSEN FOLDING FLOAT Filed June 19, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Affwz mzyMay 22, 1923.

A. NIELSEN FOLDING FLOAT Filed June 19, 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I I l I II l I l I I I I 1 I I I I I I I l I I l l I l l l l I IL Patented May22, 1923.

ANDREAS NIELSEN, OF SAN JUAN BAUTISTA, CALIFOBNIA.;

romaine racer.

Application filed June 19, 1922. Serial No. 569,413.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ANDREAS Nm snn, a subjectof the King of Denmark, residing at San Juan Bautista, in the county ofSan Benito and State of California, have invented new and usefulImprovements in Folding Floats, of which the following is aspecification.

This inventlon relates to improvements in folding floats, the principalobject of which is to provide a float which may be folded in a compactspace for the purpose of transportation and may be later opened andinflated for use.

Another object is to provide a cheap float which may be employed as aboat or as an amusement device.

Another object is to provide for the rigidity of the float after thesame has been inflated.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of thefollowing description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, andin which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughoutthe same,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my device inflated and in use,

Figure 2 is a top plan view of Figure 1 with the masts and awningremoved,

Figure 3 is a cross-section taken on the line 33. of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary the folding brace, 3

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the float dcflated and showing in dottedlines the manher of folding the sections,

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing the end sections foldedin the manner of folding the device as a whole,

Figure 7 is a side elevation of the device entirely folded, and

Figure 8 is an end elevation of the device entirely folded.

Applicant is aware of thefact that floats have been employed foramusement purposes at the shore resorts. These floats, however, arebulky and consequently cannot be easily transported. Applicant hastherefore devised means whereby a float maybe constructed in such a.manner that the same may be folded in a very compact space therebyallowing for transportation from one point to another.

In the accompanying drawings wherein detail view of for the purpose ofillustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, thenumerals 9 and 11 designate end sections, while the numerals .12 and 13represent central sections. These sections are hinged together as shownat 14, 16 and 17. It will be noted by viewing Figure 1, that the centralsections are rectangular in shape while the end sections are pointed tosimulate the outline of a boat. It will also be noted that thesesections are all constructed in a similar manner, therefore, the mannerof constructinggbut one of the sections will be given.

y now referring to Figure 3, it will be noted that the deck or uppersurface of the section '12 comprises a deck 18, preferably constructedof metal and having overturned flanges 19 and 21. A bottomv 22 having asimilar contour is provided, which bottom has overturned flanges 23 and24. The overturned flanges of the deck 18 are adapted to receive thereina block as shown at 26 and 27, while similar blocks 28 and 29 areprovided in the overturned flanges 23 and 24 of the bottom 22. Suitablecross braces as shown at 31 and 32 are provided for the deck and bottomof the float. These cross braces are shown in dotted lines in Figure 2.

The numeral 33 designates a flexible web such as canvas which has beentreated with an impervious paint or similar composition. This web iswrapped about the blocks 26, 27, 28 and 29 as is best shown in Figure 3.Suitable pins 34, 36, 37 and 38 serve to secure these blocks in placeand prevent withdrawal of the same from their respective positions.

Hingedly supported beneath the sections 12 and 13 of the float arehinged keels designated by the numerals 39 and 41. These keels arehinged as shown at 42 and 43 to the lower extremity of the pins 37- and38.

- In order to prevent these keels from swin ing while in use, I providebraces 44 and 46, Which braces are of the usual construction and need nofurther reference.

At 47, I have shown a valve through which air is admitted to theinterior of the float section, which valve is of any well known form. Inorder to prevent collapse of the deck with respect to the bottom, Iprovide a series of folding braces, one of which is best shown in Figure4 and is designated by the numeral 48. This brace is pivoted to the deckas shown at 49 and is adaptedto engage a pin 51 mounted upon the base.

before mentioned, the sections thus constructed are hinged together, thehinge 16 being secured to the adjacent bottoms of the central sections12 and 13, and in order to prevent movement of this hinge while in use,I)provide latches 52 and 53. (See Figure 2 The operation of my device isas follows Assuming that the parts are brought to the point where thefloat is to be used and are removed from their canvas case, the samewill appear as shown in Figures 7 and 8. The sections are then swung soas to assume the position shown in Figure 6, after which the endsections are swung to the po sition shown in Figure 5. I now attach apump to each of the valves 47 to inflate each section, after which Iswing each of the braces from their dotted line position in Fi ure 4 totheir full line position, after whlch I may place, if desired, masts ineach of the end sections and stretch an awning therebetween. If desired,a folding back rest 54 may also be provided.

It will thus be seen that I have constructed a very simple float whichmay be readily manufactured, transported and used, and

one which will come-within the means of the average person.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shownanddescribed is to be takenas a preferred example of the same, and that.various changes in the shape, Sue and arrangement of parts may beresorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or thescope of the subjoine'd claim.

Having thus described my invention, I claim In a device, of thecharacter described, a series of collapsible floats comprising sectionshaving a rigid deck and bottom, a flexible web extending between andsecured to said deck and said bottom at the ends and sides, pivotalmeans for maintaining said deck and said bottom in spaced relation toeach other, means for injecting air into the interior of said floatsections formed by said deck, said bottom and said web, and keelsections hinged to the opposite sides of said float sections, said keelsections being braced when open against swinging on their respectivehinges.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

, ANDREAS NIELSEN.

